How Should I Love You?

This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. John 15:12 (NLT)

After reading this text, I have to ask "Jesus, how did you love us?"

• You gave up something better to come here for us.
• While you were here, you relinquished owning everything to own nothing.
• You gave up security, the security of heaven for the chaos of earth.
• You gave up love and adoration for ridicule and hatred.
• You gave up being 100% God to live in a human body.
• You gave up angels who would fight to their death for fickle human friends who ran away at the first sign of trouble.
• You gave up being surrounded by the wisdom of the ages to be surrounded by people who after three years still didn't get it.
• You experienced immense pain, both physically and emotionally, that lead to death so you could take the imperfect home to perfection.

Jesus loves us sacrificially. After thinking about this I need to ask myself, "How often do we love each other the way Jesus loved us? and What does it look like for us to do that?"

Minute In It - It's All About Love

A little time in the Word every day changes you. Take a few minutes, read these verses and substitute your name where ever it says the word Love or It.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)

What do you think?

Minute In It - Love Differently

I heard the words of a new song by Reba McEntire called "Back to God." One of the lines stood out to me. The line said "We can't love like this."

Today's Minute In It talks about how we are supposed to treat each other. Read through it and then answer the questions at the bottom.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Romans 12:9-18 (NLT)

• What does it look like to pretend to love others? Do you think that you have to fake it til you make it when it comes to loving difficult people?
• What would really loving them instead look like?
• How much do I cherish what is good versus what is evil?
• What does it look like to honor someone?
• How would I go about honoring someone I love? How would I go about honoring someone I don't particularly like?
• Do I pray for the people who persecute me?
• Do I live my life reflecting Jesus no matter what my personal opinion?

What questions does this text make you think of?

My List Is Longer Than Your List

Because of this decision we don’t evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don’t look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 (MSG)

Many years ago I sat in a Bible Study and we were talking about things we'd like to overcome. Now I was a new Christian and my list was super long. Pick something and even if you don't think it was on my list, it probably was. As we were going around the circle I was thinking "What can I say that doesn't sound too bad." Well, the lady next to me just happened to be the Pastor's wife and when it was her turn she said "I'd like to stop eating so many sweets."

Are you kidding me? That was what she wanted to overcome? I wanted to say "Excuse me, can you pick something that is actually a real thing? Who the heck cares about that? I am looking at a list here that would make you run screaming from the room and you are talking about sweets!"

I will never forget that. What I didn't know then and thankfully I know now is that to God we are all a new creation. When we say I believe in Jesus, he sees us as already changed. I was looking inside (and of course at everyone's outside) and comparing myself to them. God doesn't do that. He sees us all the same. No matter what your struggle is or what my struggle is, God isn't comparing them and saying "WOW, look at her list. That's pretty steep while this other person's list is easy." He isn't doing that. He's saying "Look at all my kids! Aren't they marvelous!?"

As you continue your walk with God, know that he sees you right where you are and loves you perfectly. Your worth in his eyes has nothing to do with what you are or are not doing. It has everything to do with your desire to follow him. You see, to God you are already perfect. You have been perfected by the love of Jesus.